CA1045451A - Twine wrapping mechanism for a roll forming machine - Google Patents
Twine wrapping mechanism for a roll forming machineInfo
- Publication number
- CA1045451A CA1045451A CA281,150A CA281150A CA1045451A CA 1045451 A CA1045451 A CA 1045451A CA 281150 A CA281150 A CA 281150A CA 1045451 A CA1045451 A CA 1045451A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tube
- twine
- knife
- plate
- forming region
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01F—PROCESSING OF HARVESTED PRODUCE; HAY OR STRAW PRESSES; DEVICES FOR STORING AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCE
- A01F15/00—Baling presses for straw, hay or the like
- A01F15/08—Details
- A01F15/14—Tying devices specially adapted for baling presses
- A01F15/141—Tying devices specially adapted for baling presses for round balers
Abstract
S P E C I F I C A T I O N
AN IMPROVED TWINE WRAPPING MECHANISM
FOR A ROLL FORMING MACHINE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A roll forming machine having a frame defining a roll forming region is provided with an improved twine wrapping mechanism that includes an elongated twine dispensing tube that is adapted to swing across the bale forming region in a predetermined path during the twine wrapping operation.
A twine severing means in the form of a striker plate and a movable knife is provided for severing the twine at the completion of the wrapping operation.
A latch, movable between tube receiving and tube holding positions is also provided for positively retaining the twine dispensing tube in a rest condition at the completion of the wrapping operation and during the roll forming operation. The latch and the knife are interconnected such that the knife is driven against the striker plate clamping the twine therebetween, as the twine dispensing tube is driven into the latch forcing the same from its tube receiving to its tube holding position.
AN IMPROVED TWINE WRAPPING MECHANISM
FOR A ROLL FORMING MACHINE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A roll forming machine having a frame defining a roll forming region is provided with an improved twine wrapping mechanism that includes an elongated twine dispensing tube that is adapted to swing across the bale forming region in a predetermined path during the twine wrapping operation.
A twine severing means in the form of a striker plate and a movable knife is provided for severing the twine at the completion of the wrapping operation.
A latch, movable between tube receiving and tube holding positions is also provided for positively retaining the twine dispensing tube in a rest condition at the completion of the wrapping operation and during the roll forming operation. The latch and the knife are interconnected such that the knife is driven against the striker plate clamping the twine therebetween, as the twine dispensing tube is driven into the latch forcing the same from its tube receiving to its tube holding position.
Description
~045~5~ :
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a roll forming machi,ne, and more particularly, is directed to an improved mechanism for wrapping twine or the like around a roll of crop materi,al formed within the roll forming machine.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In recent years? the practice of harvesting crop material such as hay or the like by forming it into large rolls through the,use of large roll or round balers has become increasingly popular. One type of large round baler forms a swath or windrow of h~y into a Large cylindrical roll or round ~ -bale while the latter is supported on the ground. Another type of large round baler picks up the swath or windrow of hay and forms it into a large round bale off the ground. Both of these types of large round balers generally have mechanism for applying or wrapping twine or si,miaar binding material about the bale once it has reached its desired maximum size. The twine is -. then severed and the wrapped ba~e is di~charged fro~ the ma~hine.
One type of a twine wrapp~ng mechanism assoc~ated with such larg,e round ba~ers is~seen in U.S. Pate,nt No. 3~910,178 wherein there is shown an el~ngated tube which oscillates to dispense twine across the bale forming region of the mach~ne. As the dispensing tube is returned to its rest condition, ~ -the twine is drawn over a cutting knife to sever the twine extending from the end of the tube. Suchlseveri~g operatipn requi~res that the twine be in a tigh~ or taut condition because a loosely held twine cpuld not be severed under such çond~tions. Eurthermore, once the twine is severed, the free or tail end of the twine is uncontro~led and may slip back within the dispensing tube or may become entangled with various components of the machine, thus,~
hampering the wrapping operati~n of the next bale.
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Another type of twine wrapping mechanism associated with the large round balers is found in United States Patent No. 3,913,473. Shown is a hydraulic cylinder that drives a twine dispensing tube back and forth across the bale forming region wherein the twine is wrapped about the bale.
As the dispensing tube returns to its rest condition it actuates a twine cut-off mechanism wherein an anvil swings upwardly, engaging the twine and moving the same against a knife to sever the twine extending from the end of the tube. After severance, the free end of the twine remains clamped between the knife and the anvil. Should the hydraulic cylinder or hydraulic lines leak, the dispensing tube would creep away from its rest position and could be damaged or cause damage to other components of the round baler. Further-more, the anvil would slip away from an abutting engagement with the knife, - releasing the free end of the twine which would cause potential problems in the wrapping operation of the next bale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided an improved wrapping mechanism for a roll forming machine having a frame and a roll forming region for forming a roll of crop material such as hay or the like, the improved mechanism comprising: (a) an elongated tube pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to dispense a wrapping element such as twine across the bale forming region in a predetermined path; (b) drive means for driving said elongated dispensing tube from a rest position along its pre-determined path; tc) severing means mounted on said frame in the vicinity of ; said predetermined path for receiving a portion of said wrapping element, said severing means including a striker plate and a knife which is movable from a first position to a second position wherein said knife engages said striker plate; (d) latch means mounted on said frame for movement from a tube receiving position to a tube holding position wherein said dispensing tube is positively retained in its rest position; and (e) means inter-connecting said severing means and said latch means such that said knife
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a roll forming machi,ne, and more particularly, is directed to an improved mechanism for wrapping twine or the like around a roll of crop materi,al formed within the roll forming machine.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In recent years? the practice of harvesting crop material such as hay or the like by forming it into large rolls through the,use of large roll or round balers has become increasingly popular. One type of large round baler forms a swath or windrow of h~y into a Large cylindrical roll or round ~ -bale while the latter is supported on the ground. Another type of large round baler picks up the swath or windrow of hay and forms it into a large round bale off the ground. Both of these types of large round balers generally have mechanism for applying or wrapping twine or si,miaar binding material about the bale once it has reached its desired maximum size. The twine is -. then severed and the wrapped ba~e is di~charged fro~ the ma~hine.
One type of a twine wrapp~ng mechanism assoc~ated with such larg,e round ba~ers is~seen in U.S. Pate,nt No. 3~910,178 wherein there is shown an el~ngated tube which oscillates to dispense twine across the bale forming region of the mach~ne. As the dispensing tube is returned to its rest condition, ~ -the twine is drawn over a cutting knife to sever the twine extending from the end of the tube. Suchlseveri~g operatipn requi~res that the twine be in a tigh~ or taut condition because a loosely held twine cpuld not be severed under such çond~tions. Eurthermore, once the twine is severed, the free or tail end of the twine is uncontro~led and may slip back within the dispensing tube or may become entangled with various components of the machine, thus,~
hampering the wrapping operati~n of the next bale.
, I .
~ .
... .
Another type of twine wrapping mechanism associated with the large round balers is found in United States Patent No. 3,913,473. Shown is a hydraulic cylinder that drives a twine dispensing tube back and forth across the bale forming region wherein the twine is wrapped about the bale.
As the dispensing tube returns to its rest condition it actuates a twine cut-off mechanism wherein an anvil swings upwardly, engaging the twine and moving the same against a knife to sever the twine extending from the end of the tube. After severance, the free end of the twine remains clamped between the knife and the anvil. Should the hydraulic cylinder or hydraulic lines leak, the dispensing tube would creep away from its rest position and could be damaged or cause damage to other components of the round baler. Further-more, the anvil would slip away from an abutting engagement with the knife, - releasing the free end of the twine which would cause potential problems in the wrapping operation of the next bale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided an improved wrapping mechanism for a roll forming machine having a frame and a roll forming region for forming a roll of crop material such as hay or the like, the improved mechanism comprising: (a) an elongated tube pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to dispense a wrapping element such as twine across the bale forming region in a predetermined path; (b) drive means for driving said elongated dispensing tube from a rest position along its pre-determined path; tc) severing means mounted on said frame in the vicinity of ; said predetermined path for receiving a portion of said wrapping element, said severing means including a striker plate and a knife which is movable from a first position to a second position wherein said knife engages said striker plate; (d) latch means mounted on said frame for movement from a tube receiving position to a tube holding position wherein said dispensing tube is positively retained in its rest position; and (e) means inter-connecting said severing means and said latch means such that said knife
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of said severing means is moved from its first position to its second posi-tion for severing said twine as said latch means moves from its tube receiving position to its tube holding position when said dispensing tube is driven into said latch means forcing the same to be moved from its tube receiving to tube holding position.
Preferably, the latch means includes a latch plate pivotally mounted on an upright support which is positioned forwardly of the roll forming region. The plate is provided with a slot adapted to receive the dispensing tube and is movable from its tube receiving position wherein the slot is disposed within the predetermined path of the twine dispensing tube to its tube holding position wherein the plate is disposed in an upright position for positively retaining the twine tube in its rest condition.
The latch means may further include means for biasing the latch plate in each of its tube receiving and tube holding positions.
, In the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the course of the following detailed description, reference will be frequently made to the attached drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a right side elevational view of a crop material roll forming machine embodying the improved twine wrapping mechanism of the present invention, showing a hydraulic cylinder for automatically operating the improved twine wrapping mechanism.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the improved twine wrapping mechanism, showing in fragmentary form a component for manually operating the improved twine wrapping mechanism.
~! Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the improved twine wrapping mechanism as seen along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
Fig,4 is a side elevational view of a seyering means and a latch - means of the improved twine wrapping mechanism, which constitute features of the present invention, as seen along line 4-4 of Fi~ 3, with the severing knife being represented in solid line form in its open position and in broken line form in its closed position and with the latch plate being ' represented in solid line form in its tube receiving position and in broken line form in its tube holding position.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view, partly in section, of a breakaway mechanism which is associated with the hydraulic cylinder in Fig. 3, with the cylinder being omitted and showing a rotatable shaft of the improved .
: twine wrapping mechanism in fragmentary form.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of a fragmentary portion of the improved twine wrapping mechanism, showing a gear segmented mounting plate with the twine dispensing tube mounted thereon, the gear sement of ; the plate being for drivingly coupling the plate with the manually operative component as seen in Fig. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, righthand and left hand references ....
~045451 are determined by standing at the rear of the machine and facing in the direction of forward travel. Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as "forward", "left", "upwardly", etc., are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
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IN GENERAL
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a crop material roll forming machine, generally indicated by numeral 10, being provided with a base frame, generally designated 12, having right 10 and left sides (the right side being omitted for clarity) between which extends a roll forming region, being generally designated by 14 and within which a completed roll R is illustrated. The frame 12 is supported and made mobile by right and left ground-engaging wheels 16 (only the left one being shown) rotatably mounted respectively on spindles 18 (only the left one being shown), being connected to and extending outwardly frG~m respective opposite sides of the machine 10.
The machine 10 is adapted to be connected to a tractor (not shown) for towing the machine forwardly across a fiel-a in field operation or road transport by means of~a tongue 20 which is connected at its rear end 2~ to and extends forwardly from a horizontal beam 22 of the frame 12.
Horizontal beam 22 extends transversely between and interconnects with the opposite sides of frame 12.
' Extending forwardly from the lower front portion of the mobile frame 12 of the machine 10 is a pickup 24. The pickup 24 is adapted to engaqe, elevate and rearwardly feed a swath or windrow of crop material into the roll forming region 14 of the machine 10. The material fed by the pickup 24 is passed rearwardly to the front end of a lower apron, generally indicated by the numeral 26.
The lower apron 26 is formed by a series of endless flexible 30 lug-bearing chains 28 which are transversely spaced apart even distances and which extend around front drive sprockets 30 mounted on front shaft 32 rotatably supported between the sides of the frame 12 at the front thereof.
The chains 28 also pass around rear idler sprockets 34 mounted on shaft 36 rotatably supported between the sides of the frame 12 at the rear thereof.
Mounted upon fore-and-aft spaced transverse mcmbers 38 of the base frame 12 is a floor 40. The floor 40 is rigid and generally horizontally disposed. The upper course of the lower apron chains 28 move in a rearward direction across the floor 40 to convey the crop material received from the pickup 24 toward the rear of the machine 10.
The lower course of an upper apron assembly, being generally designated by the numeral 42, engages and directs the material reaching the rear end of the frame 12 into an upward and forward direction to effect, in combination with the lower apron 26 at the roll forming region 14 of the machine 10, a rolling of the crop material into roll R in the direction of the arrow A of Fig. 1. During roll forming, as the lower and upper courses of the upper apron 42 move respectively in the directions of the arrows A and B in Fig. l, it will be understood that the lower course of the upper apron 42 is capable of expanding as the roll R expands in diameter. This is allowed by idler sprockets 44 and 46, which movably support portions of the upper course of apron 42, being mounted upon arms 48,50 disposed ad~acent each side of the frame 12 and supported on a transverse shaft 52 ~otatably mounted between the sides of fra;me 12 at the upper-portions thereof. The - arms 48,50 are biased by extension springs (not shown) mounted along the frame sides which normally position the upper apron 42 in a contracted condition wherein the lower course thereof is ad~acent the lower apron 26, but are yieldable for allowing the aforementioned expansion of the lower course during roll formation.
The upper portion 42 also extends about fron drive sprockets 54 mounted on a shaft 56 rotatably supported between the sides of the frame 12 at the front portion thereof.
il045~S~
1 The base frame 12 also includes a rear upper frame or tailgate assembly 58 which is pivotally connected at 60 to the upper portions of the sides of the frame and extends transversely therebetween. The tailgate assembly 58 is pivotally moved c~ockwise from its lower roll forming position, as shown in Fig. 1, to an upper discharge position (not shown) by a pair of hydraulic cylinders 62 (only the left one being shown) respectively mounted on and extending along the sides of the frame 12. The tailgate 58 rotatably mounts upper, rear and lower idler sprockets 64,66 and 68 respectively abou~ wh~ch the upper apron 42 also extends.
For providing rotary power to the pickup 24 and the lower and upper aprons 26,42 an input driveline (not shown) is provided along the tongue 20 being adapted for connection at its forward end to the power takeoff(PTO) shaft of the tractor for rotation in unison therewith to supply rotjary driving power to various of the operative components of the -s mac~hine through power transmitting çomponents (not shown). The hydraulic çylinders may be suitably connected to:hydraulic sources on the tractor.
t, IMPROVED TWINE WRAPPING MECHANISM
In order that the roll R may be stabilized when discharged from the machipe 10, the~machine i8 provid~d with a supply of twine or the like, not shown, located on the right sidewall of frame 12. The twine is applied to t4e roll R by ab~twine wrapping mechani~m, which incorporates the improvementprovided by the present invention and is generally designated by the numeral - 70 i~FEig. 1, just before the upper frame or tailgate 58 is pivoted to its upper position for disc4arge of the roll R from the mach~ne 10.
The improved wrapping mechanism 70, generally inc~udes a twine dispensing assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 72, and components for aC*u~ting the assembly 72. Also,~the wrapping mechani~m 70 includes twine ~`
severing means, generally indicated by the numeral 74, and latch means, generally indicated by numeral 76, interconnected to the severing means 74 1 and ~ooperative with the twine dispensipg assembly 72 for effecting control of the severing means 74 in response to movement of the dispensing assembly 72 for severing the twine after the roll has been externally wrapped. As will be discussed hereinafter, either a manually operative component or a power motor component may be selected for operating the twine dispensing assembly 72 of the improved wrapp~ng mechanism 70. The parts of the improved wrapping mechanism 70 which allow for such selection comprise the invention claimed i~
a copending patent application~cross-referenced above, however,l such parts ; are illustrated and described in detail herein for facilitating a thorough and complete understanding of the present invention.
The twine di,spensing assembly 72 is pqsitioned forwardly of the roll forming region 14 and generally includes an~elongated dispensing tube 78 ; having a twi~e tensioning device 79 attached to its free end for applying tension to the twine as it is dispensed across the bale forming region 14.
Twine from the supply is routed through means not shown through the ~eceiving end of the tube 78 wi~h a short length of twine extending or dangling from the opposite free end of the tube 78.
The twine receivin~ end of the tube 78 is fi~ed by b~ackets 80 ~see Fig. 6) to one side of a plate 82 having an outer peripheral edge gear portion 83. The plate 82 is mounted on one end of a rotatably su~pported shaft 84 that extends normal to the plate 82. The shaft 84 protrudes through the upper end portion of an upright support member 86 being secured to the transverse frame member 22 and is rotatably supported within t~o bea~ings, one bearing 88 which i8 secured to the upright member 86 by a bracket 90 and another bearing 92 supported within the upright member 86. The moun~ing of the tube 78 to the plate 82 is such that upon rotation of the shaft 84 and the plate 82 and tube 78 therewith the free end of the tube 78 moves in a predetermined path across the roll forming region 14.
The above described peripheral edge gear portion 83 of the pl~te 82 and the rotatable shaft 84 whi~h supports the/tube 78 enables the free end of '' ' ~ ` ' ~ -, ,, . .
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~045451 1 the tube to be moved along its predetermined path by a selected one of twodifferent aCtuRting components according to the pr~inciples of the invention claimed in the above cross-referenced copending applicatlon, namely, either a manually operable component ~4, as seen fragmentarily in Fig. 2,1or automatically by a power motor component, such as the hydraul~c cylinder 96 as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.
For manual operationlof the twine dispensing tube 78, the manually operab~e component 94, as best seen in Fig. 2, includes a drive shaft 98 journalled for rotation within a bearing 100 supported on the top edge of the upright member 86. One end of the drive shaft 98 mounts a gear 102 which driveably mates with the gear portion 83 d the plate 82 whereas the other end of the drive shaft 98 mounts one part of a universal joint 104 whose other part is mounted on the end of rod 106. The rod 1~6 extends within a telescoping sleeve 108 which is secured ~o a crank handle 110 having knob 112~ The sleeve 108 is suppo~ted on member 114 which extends upwardly from the forward portion of the tongue 20. A cotte,r pin 116 is extended through corresponding apertures provided in the sleeve 108 and the rod 106 for driveable connection thereof such that manual rotation of the c~ank handle 110 rotates the gear 102 which moves th~ gear portion 83 and thereby rotates the plate 82 and the ~ -shaft 84 resulting in pivotal movement of the dispensing tube 78 ~ong its , predetermined path.
; The twine dispensing tube 78~ due to the mounting of its support plate 82 by the shaft 84, is also adapted bo be actuated automatically by a power motor component such as hydraulic cylinder 96. As best seen in Figs. 1 and 3,~a pin 1~8 pivotally mounts the base end of the hydraulic cylinder 96 on a bracket 120 secured to the transverse frame member 22. The piston end of cylinder 96 is pivotally connected by pin 122 to a breakaway mechanism, generally indi~ated by the numeral 124 and best seen in Fig; 5, that operably interconnects the hydraulic cylinder 96 to the twine dispensing assembly 72.
The breakaway mechanism 124 also comprises part of the invention claimed in _ g _ . .
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the above cross-referenced copending application. The purpose of the breakaway mechanism 124 is to disconnect the cylinder 96 from the assembly 72 under conditions wherein the dispensing tube 78 encounters any impassable obstacles which would create a torque load on the shaft 84 above a predetermined value~
Such breakaway mechanism is beneficial in preventing damage to the components of the dispensing assembly 72, as well as, damage to the other components of the wrapping mechanism 70, such as the severing means 74 and latch means 76.
n particular reference to Fig. 5, the breakaway mechanism 124 comprises an arrangement of components adapted to interconnect the hydrau~ic cylinder 96 to the dispensing assembly 72, and as such, broadly includes a first lever 126, a second lever 128 and means, generally designated by the numeral 130, for coupling the first lever 126 to the second lever 128. The first lever 126 has one end fixedly mounted to a sleeve 132 and the second lever 128 has its corresponding end-mounted to a hub 134 which is adapted to he inserted over the sleeve 132 and retained thereon by snap ring 135, adjacent to the fixed end of the first lever 126. The other end of the ; second lever 128 contains a stub member 136 secured thereto, such as by welding or the like, forming slot 138 for receiving the free end of the first lever 126. m e coupling means 130 includes an internally threaded tube 140 20 that houses a coil spring 14Z and an engaging ball 144! The threaded tube 140 is secured within a bore provided in the stub member 136 such that the engaging ball 144 can be urged outwardly into engagement with the free end of the first lever 126 as an adjustment bolt 146 is threaded in the tube 140 - to compress the spring-142 and preset the torque load at which the breakaway mechanism 124 reacts. The engaging ball 144 is of a diameter greater than the width of the slot 138 such that the ball 144 will not be lost but confined within the slot 138 upon reaction of the breakaway mechanism 124 wherein the free end of the first lever 126 moves from within slot 138.
When the hydrauiic cyllnder 96 utilized to actuate the dispensing 30 tube 78 of the dispensing assembly 72, the sleeve 132 is inserted over shaft 84 :- , . - . . -, .,, . , , , ,, , ' ': . ' ' ' ' :
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and retained thereon by retaining bolts 148. Hydraulic hoses 150 from the hydraulic cylinder 96 are connected to the hydraulic system of a tractor -(not shown) for powering the cylinder. Preferably, the hydraulic cylinder 96 is of the double actuation type, and thus, as the piston rod end of the cylinder 96 is extended, it moves the second lever 128 which is coupled to the first lever 126 by the coupling means 130, thereby rotating shaft 84 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3. As shaft 84 rotates in a clockwise direction, the plate 82 rotates therewith resulting in a corresponding ; pivotal movement of the dispensing tube 78. Retraction of the piston rod end - 10 of the hydraulic cylinder 96 rotates the shaft 84 and the plate 82 therewith in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, with corresponding pivotal movement of the dispensing tube 78. Should the dispensing tube 78 encounter any impassable obstacles that would create a torque load in excess of a predetermined value set by the compression load of the spring 142 on ball 144, the breakaway mechanism 124 reacts in decoupling the first lever -i 126 from the second lever 128 and thus the first lever 128 pivots about its `iS hub 134 around the sleeve 132.
i In preparation for the roll wrapping operation, once the roll R has ;! reached its desired size, the operator normally stops further forward movement i 20 of the machine 10 to interrupt the flow of material delivered by the pickup mechanism 24. Concurrently, the operator actuates the twine dispensing assembly 72, whether that being the hydraulic cylinder 96 of the manual handle 94, wherein the twine dispensing.tube 78 is swung along its ~ predetermined arcuate path from the left to the right side of the machine s and then returned to its initial rest position on the left side of the machine.
In its initial rest position, the tube 78 is disposed generally parallel to the transverse frame member 22, forwardly of the bale forming region 14, and with the free end of the tube 78 being disposed adjacent the left side of the machine 10. The predetermined arcuate path of the tube 78 is best 30 described as being first a slightly rearward and generally downward movement ' '' ''' '' .' ' ' ' : ' ' ~ ", ' ' ' . , .
1045451 ~
toward the right side of the bale forming region 14 and then is returned therefrom in a generally upwardly and slightly forward movement to its rest position. Further, it should be pointed out at this time that the dispensing tube 78, at least during a portion of its cyclic movement, is guided along the underside of tubular member 170 which will be described in conjunction with the description of the severing means 74.
As the tube 78 swings back and forth across the bale forming region 14 the twine is deposited on the lower apron 26 or if there is still crop material moving into the machine, the twine is deposited thereon and is intermeshed therewith. The twine is then carried rearwardly into the bale forming region 14 wherein it is exteriorly wrapped around the roll R as the roll is rotated. Since the dispensing tube 78 swings from one side to the other side of the machine as the roll R is rotated, the winding will obviously be in the form of a spiral.
- The parts of the improved wrapping mechanism 70 which comprise the present invention are components of the severing means 74 and the coordination of the operation thereof with the movement of the dispensing tube 78 as provided by the latch means 16, all of which will now be described in detail.
Preparation for severing the twine occurs as the tube 78 approaches the end of its return cycle wherein the twine is brought into the vicinity of the severing means 74. The severing means 74 includes a striker plate 152, a severing knife 154 and a guide shield 156 which is attached by screws 158 to the left sidewall of the machine, projects outwardly therefrom over the -striker plate 152 and knife 154, and has a front edge tapered so as to guide the twine over the striker plate 152 as the tube 78 approaches its return cycle. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the striker plate 152 is attached in a stationary position by bolts 160 to a transverse stub member 162 secured to the left sidewall of the machine, below the guide shield 156, and the knife 156 is pivotally mounted rearwardly of the . . - - ~
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1 striker plate 152 so as to be moved away from and to~ard the striker plate 152 iD an abutting severing relationship therewith. The knife 156 includes a blade 164 attached by bolts 166 to one end of an arm 168 which is secured to tubular member 170 for rotation therewith about shaft 172. The tubular member ~` 170 is inserted over shaft 172 which extends transversely between the opposite sidewalls of the machine and is suita~ly mounted at each of its ends within the respective sid~walls.
Latch means 76 has been provided in accordance with the principles ` of the pre,sent invention for coordinating the pivotal movement of the knife 156 toward and away from the striker p~ate 152 in response to the dispensing ^ tube 78 being pivoted from its rest position along its predetermined path.~
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As best seen in Fig. 4, the latch means 76 is supported on the upper end ofupright member 174 wh~ch is attached by fastening elements 176 to the transveræe frame member 22 and includes a flat rectangular latch plate 178 having one edge provi,ded with a tube receiving slot 180 and its opposite edge prpvided with a pair of positioning notches 182,184. Bar 185 is secured i to the end of the plate 178 having slot 180 and projects outwardly therefrom further defining the tube's receiving area provided by the slot 180. The latch plate 178 is secured to one end of a short transverse shaft 186 which extends through the upper end portion of the upright member 174 and is rotatabl~ unted thereon. The other end of shaft 186 supports crank arm 188.
Biasing lever 190 is provided withsbutting knob 192 that projects outwardly from one side thereof toward the latch plate 178 for registering with the positi,oning notches 182,~84 of the latch plate. One end of lever 190 is
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of said severing means is moved from its first position to its second posi-tion for severing said twine as said latch means moves from its tube receiving position to its tube holding position when said dispensing tube is driven into said latch means forcing the same to be moved from its tube receiving to tube holding position.
Preferably, the latch means includes a latch plate pivotally mounted on an upright support which is positioned forwardly of the roll forming region. The plate is provided with a slot adapted to receive the dispensing tube and is movable from its tube receiving position wherein the slot is disposed within the predetermined path of the twine dispensing tube to its tube holding position wherein the plate is disposed in an upright position for positively retaining the twine tube in its rest condition.
The latch means may further include means for biasing the latch plate in each of its tube receiving and tube holding positions.
, In the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the course of the following detailed description, reference will be frequently made to the attached drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a right side elevational view of a crop material roll forming machine embodying the improved twine wrapping mechanism of the present invention, showing a hydraulic cylinder for automatically operating the improved twine wrapping mechanism.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the improved twine wrapping mechanism, showing in fragmentary form a component for manually operating the improved twine wrapping mechanism.
~! Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the improved twine wrapping mechanism as seen along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
Fig,4 is a side elevational view of a seyering means and a latch - means of the improved twine wrapping mechanism, which constitute features of the present invention, as seen along line 4-4 of Fi~ 3, with the severing knife being represented in solid line form in its open position and in broken line form in its closed position and with the latch plate being ' represented in solid line form in its tube receiving position and in broken line form in its tube holding position.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view, partly in section, of a breakaway mechanism which is associated with the hydraulic cylinder in Fig. 3, with the cylinder being omitted and showing a rotatable shaft of the improved .
: twine wrapping mechanism in fragmentary form.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of a fragmentary portion of the improved twine wrapping mechanism, showing a gear segmented mounting plate with the twine dispensing tube mounted thereon, the gear sement of ; the plate being for drivingly coupling the plate with the manually operative component as seen in Fig. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, righthand and left hand references ....
~045451 are determined by standing at the rear of the machine and facing in the direction of forward travel. Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as "forward", "left", "upwardly", etc., are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
~ ' :
IN GENERAL
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a crop material roll forming machine, generally indicated by numeral 10, being provided with a base frame, generally designated 12, having right 10 and left sides (the right side being omitted for clarity) between which extends a roll forming region, being generally designated by 14 and within which a completed roll R is illustrated. The frame 12 is supported and made mobile by right and left ground-engaging wheels 16 (only the left one being shown) rotatably mounted respectively on spindles 18 (only the left one being shown), being connected to and extending outwardly frG~m respective opposite sides of the machine 10.
The machine 10 is adapted to be connected to a tractor (not shown) for towing the machine forwardly across a fiel-a in field operation or road transport by means of~a tongue 20 which is connected at its rear end 2~ to and extends forwardly from a horizontal beam 22 of the frame 12.
Horizontal beam 22 extends transversely between and interconnects with the opposite sides of frame 12.
' Extending forwardly from the lower front portion of the mobile frame 12 of the machine 10 is a pickup 24. The pickup 24 is adapted to engaqe, elevate and rearwardly feed a swath or windrow of crop material into the roll forming region 14 of the machine 10. The material fed by the pickup 24 is passed rearwardly to the front end of a lower apron, generally indicated by the numeral 26.
The lower apron 26 is formed by a series of endless flexible 30 lug-bearing chains 28 which are transversely spaced apart even distances and which extend around front drive sprockets 30 mounted on front shaft 32 rotatably supported between the sides of the frame 12 at the front thereof.
The chains 28 also pass around rear idler sprockets 34 mounted on shaft 36 rotatably supported between the sides of the frame 12 at the rear thereof.
Mounted upon fore-and-aft spaced transverse mcmbers 38 of the base frame 12 is a floor 40. The floor 40 is rigid and generally horizontally disposed. The upper course of the lower apron chains 28 move in a rearward direction across the floor 40 to convey the crop material received from the pickup 24 toward the rear of the machine 10.
The lower course of an upper apron assembly, being generally designated by the numeral 42, engages and directs the material reaching the rear end of the frame 12 into an upward and forward direction to effect, in combination with the lower apron 26 at the roll forming region 14 of the machine 10, a rolling of the crop material into roll R in the direction of the arrow A of Fig. 1. During roll forming, as the lower and upper courses of the upper apron 42 move respectively in the directions of the arrows A and B in Fig. l, it will be understood that the lower course of the upper apron 42 is capable of expanding as the roll R expands in diameter. This is allowed by idler sprockets 44 and 46, which movably support portions of the upper course of apron 42, being mounted upon arms 48,50 disposed ad~acent each side of the frame 12 and supported on a transverse shaft 52 ~otatably mounted between the sides of fra;me 12 at the upper-portions thereof. The - arms 48,50 are biased by extension springs (not shown) mounted along the frame sides which normally position the upper apron 42 in a contracted condition wherein the lower course thereof is ad~acent the lower apron 26, but are yieldable for allowing the aforementioned expansion of the lower course during roll formation.
The upper portion 42 also extends about fron drive sprockets 54 mounted on a shaft 56 rotatably supported between the sides of the frame 12 at the front portion thereof.
il045~S~
1 The base frame 12 also includes a rear upper frame or tailgate assembly 58 which is pivotally connected at 60 to the upper portions of the sides of the frame and extends transversely therebetween. The tailgate assembly 58 is pivotally moved c~ockwise from its lower roll forming position, as shown in Fig. 1, to an upper discharge position (not shown) by a pair of hydraulic cylinders 62 (only the left one being shown) respectively mounted on and extending along the sides of the frame 12. The tailgate 58 rotatably mounts upper, rear and lower idler sprockets 64,66 and 68 respectively abou~ wh~ch the upper apron 42 also extends.
For providing rotary power to the pickup 24 and the lower and upper aprons 26,42 an input driveline (not shown) is provided along the tongue 20 being adapted for connection at its forward end to the power takeoff(PTO) shaft of the tractor for rotation in unison therewith to supply rotjary driving power to various of the operative components of the -s mac~hine through power transmitting çomponents (not shown). The hydraulic çylinders may be suitably connected to:hydraulic sources on the tractor.
t, IMPROVED TWINE WRAPPING MECHANISM
In order that the roll R may be stabilized when discharged from the machipe 10, the~machine i8 provid~d with a supply of twine or the like, not shown, located on the right sidewall of frame 12. The twine is applied to t4e roll R by ab~twine wrapping mechani~m, which incorporates the improvementprovided by the present invention and is generally designated by the numeral - 70 i~FEig. 1, just before the upper frame or tailgate 58 is pivoted to its upper position for disc4arge of the roll R from the mach~ne 10.
The improved wrapping mechanism 70, generally inc~udes a twine dispensing assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 72, and components for aC*u~ting the assembly 72. Also,~the wrapping mechani~m 70 includes twine ~`
severing means, generally indicated by the numeral 74, and latch means, generally indicated by numeral 76, interconnected to the severing means 74 1 and ~ooperative with the twine dispensipg assembly 72 for effecting control of the severing means 74 in response to movement of the dispensing assembly 72 for severing the twine after the roll has been externally wrapped. As will be discussed hereinafter, either a manually operative component or a power motor component may be selected for operating the twine dispensing assembly 72 of the improved wrapp~ng mechanism 70. The parts of the improved wrapping mechanism 70 which allow for such selection comprise the invention claimed i~
a copending patent application~cross-referenced above, however,l such parts ; are illustrated and described in detail herein for facilitating a thorough and complete understanding of the present invention.
The twine di,spensing assembly 72 is pqsitioned forwardly of the roll forming region 14 and generally includes an~elongated dispensing tube 78 ; having a twi~e tensioning device 79 attached to its free end for applying tension to the twine as it is dispensed across the bale forming region 14.
Twine from the supply is routed through means not shown through the ~eceiving end of the tube 78 wi~h a short length of twine extending or dangling from the opposite free end of the tube 78.
The twine receivin~ end of the tube 78 is fi~ed by b~ackets 80 ~see Fig. 6) to one side of a plate 82 having an outer peripheral edge gear portion 83. The plate 82 is mounted on one end of a rotatably su~pported shaft 84 that extends normal to the plate 82. The shaft 84 protrudes through the upper end portion of an upright support member 86 being secured to the transverse frame member 22 and is rotatably supported within t~o bea~ings, one bearing 88 which i8 secured to the upright member 86 by a bracket 90 and another bearing 92 supported within the upright member 86. The moun~ing of the tube 78 to the plate 82 is such that upon rotation of the shaft 84 and the plate 82 and tube 78 therewith the free end of the tube 78 moves in a predetermined path across the roll forming region 14.
The above described peripheral edge gear portion 83 of the pl~te 82 and the rotatable shaft 84 whi~h supports the/tube 78 enables the free end of '' ' ~ ` ' ~ -, ,, . .
.
~045451 1 the tube to be moved along its predetermined path by a selected one of twodifferent aCtuRting components according to the pr~inciples of the invention claimed in the above cross-referenced copending applicatlon, namely, either a manually operable component ~4, as seen fragmentarily in Fig. 2,1or automatically by a power motor component, such as the hydraul~c cylinder 96 as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.
For manual operationlof the twine dispensing tube 78, the manually operab~e component 94, as best seen in Fig. 2, includes a drive shaft 98 journalled for rotation within a bearing 100 supported on the top edge of the upright member 86. One end of the drive shaft 98 mounts a gear 102 which driveably mates with the gear portion 83 d the plate 82 whereas the other end of the drive shaft 98 mounts one part of a universal joint 104 whose other part is mounted on the end of rod 106. The rod 1~6 extends within a telescoping sleeve 108 which is secured ~o a crank handle 110 having knob 112~ The sleeve 108 is suppo~ted on member 114 which extends upwardly from the forward portion of the tongue 20. A cotte,r pin 116 is extended through corresponding apertures provided in the sleeve 108 and the rod 106 for driveable connection thereof such that manual rotation of the c~ank handle 110 rotates the gear 102 which moves th~ gear portion 83 and thereby rotates the plate 82 and the ~ -shaft 84 resulting in pivotal movement of the dispensing tube 78 ~ong its , predetermined path.
; The twine dispensing tube 78~ due to the mounting of its support plate 82 by the shaft 84, is also adapted bo be actuated automatically by a power motor component such as hydraulic cylinder 96. As best seen in Figs. 1 and 3,~a pin 1~8 pivotally mounts the base end of the hydraulic cylinder 96 on a bracket 120 secured to the transverse frame member 22. The piston end of cylinder 96 is pivotally connected by pin 122 to a breakaway mechanism, generally indi~ated by the numeral 124 and best seen in Fig; 5, that operably interconnects the hydraulic cylinder 96 to the twine dispensing assembly 72.
The breakaway mechanism 124 also comprises part of the invention claimed in _ g _ . .
': : ' 104545~
the above cross-referenced copending application. The purpose of the breakaway mechanism 124 is to disconnect the cylinder 96 from the assembly 72 under conditions wherein the dispensing tube 78 encounters any impassable obstacles which would create a torque load on the shaft 84 above a predetermined value~
Such breakaway mechanism is beneficial in preventing damage to the components of the dispensing assembly 72, as well as, damage to the other components of the wrapping mechanism 70, such as the severing means 74 and latch means 76.
n particular reference to Fig. 5, the breakaway mechanism 124 comprises an arrangement of components adapted to interconnect the hydrau~ic cylinder 96 to the dispensing assembly 72, and as such, broadly includes a first lever 126, a second lever 128 and means, generally designated by the numeral 130, for coupling the first lever 126 to the second lever 128. The first lever 126 has one end fixedly mounted to a sleeve 132 and the second lever 128 has its corresponding end-mounted to a hub 134 which is adapted to he inserted over the sleeve 132 and retained thereon by snap ring 135, adjacent to the fixed end of the first lever 126. The other end of the ; second lever 128 contains a stub member 136 secured thereto, such as by welding or the like, forming slot 138 for receiving the free end of the first lever 126. m e coupling means 130 includes an internally threaded tube 140 20 that houses a coil spring 14Z and an engaging ball 144! The threaded tube 140 is secured within a bore provided in the stub member 136 such that the engaging ball 144 can be urged outwardly into engagement with the free end of the first lever 126 as an adjustment bolt 146 is threaded in the tube 140 - to compress the spring-142 and preset the torque load at which the breakaway mechanism 124 reacts. The engaging ball 144 is of a diameter greater than the width of the slot 138 such that the ball 144 will not be lost but confined within the slot 138 upon reaction of the breakaway mechanism 124 wherein the free end of the first lever 126 moves from within slot 138.
When the hydrauiic cyllnder 96 utilized to actuate the dispensing 30 tube 78 of the dispensing assembly 72, the sleeve 132 is inserted over shaft 84 :- , . - . . -, .,, . , , , ,, , ' ': . ' ' ' ' :
.
:, , ~ .
.
and retained thereon by retaining bolts 148. Hydraulic hoses 150 from the hydraulic cylinder 96 are connected to the hydraulic system of a tractor -(not shown) for powering the cylinder. Preferably, the hydraulic cylinder 96 is of the double actuation type, and thus, as the piston rod end of the cylinder 96 is extended, it moves the second lever 128 which is coupled to the first lever 126 by the coupling means 130, thereby rotating shaft 84 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3. As shaft 84 rotates in a clockwise direction, the plate 82 rotates therewith resulting in a corresponding ; pivotal movement of the dispensing tube 78. Retraction of the piston rod end - 10 of the hydraulic cylinder 96 rotates the shaft 84 and the plate 82 therewith in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, with corresponding pivotal movement of the dispensing tube 78. Should the dispensing tube 78 encounter any impassable obstacles that would create a torque load in excess of a predetermined value set by the compression load of the spring 142 on ball 144, the breakaway mechanism 124 reacts in decoupling the first lever -i 126 from the second lever 128 and thus the first lever 128 pivots about its `iS hub 134 around the sleeve 132.
i In preparation for the roll wrapping operation, once the roll R has ;! reached its desired size, the operator normally stops further forward movement i 20 of the machine 10 to interrupt the flow of material delivered by the pickup mechanism 24. Concurrently, the operator actuates the twine dispensing assembly 72, whether that being the hydraulic cylinder 96 of the manual handle 94, wherein the twine dispensing.tube 78 is swung along its ~ predetermined arcuate path from the left to the right side of the machine s and then returned to its initial rest position on the left side of the machine.
In its initial rest position, the tube 78 is disposed generally parallel to the transverse frame member 22, forwardly of the bale forming region 14, and with the free end of the tube 78 being disposed adjacent the left side of the machine 10. The predetermined arcuate path of the tube 78 is best 30 described as being first a slightly rearward and generally downward movement ' '' ''' '' .' ' ' ' : ' ' ~ ", ' ' ' . , .
1045451 ~
toward the right side of the bale forming region 14 and then is returned therefrom in a generally upwardly and slightly forward movement to its rest position. Further, it should be pointed out at this time that the dispensing tube 78, at least during a portion of its cyclic movement, is guided along the underside of tubular member 170 which will be described in conjunction with the description of the severing means 74.
As the tube 78 swings back and forth across the bale forming region 14 the twine is deposited on the lower apron 26 or if there is still crop material moving into the machine, the twine is deposited thereon and is intermeshed therewith. The twine is then carried rearwardly into the bale forming region 14 wherein it is exteriorly wrapped around the roll R as the roll is rotated. Since the dispensing tube 78 swings from one side to the other side of the machine as the roll R is rotated, the winding will obviously be in the form of a spiral.
- The parts of the improved wrapping mechanism 70 which comprise the present invention are components of the severing means 74 and the coordination of the operation thereof with the movement of the dispensing tube 78 as provided by the latch means 16, all of which will now be described in detail.
Preparation for severing the twine occurs as the tube 78 approaches the end of its return cycle wherein the twine is brought into the vicinity of the severing means 74. The severing means 74 includes a striker plate 152, a severing knife 154 and a guide shield 156 which is attached by screws 158 to the left sidewall of the machine, projects outwardly therefrom over the -striker plate 152 and knife 154, and has a front edge tapered so as to guide the twine over the striker plate 152 as the tube 78 approaches its return cycle. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the striker plate 152 is attached in a stationary position by bolts 160 to a transverse stub member 162 secured to the left sidewall of the machine, below the guide shield 156, and the knife 156 is pivotally mounted rearwardly of the . . - - ~
: . ' : , - , , : :
~o454S~ :
1 striker plate 152 so as to be moved away from and to~ard the striker plate 152 iD an abutting severing relationship therewith. The knife 156 includes a blade 164 attached by bolts 166 to one end of an arm 168 which is secured to tubular member 170 for rotation therewith about shaft 172. The tubular member ~` 170 is inserted over shaft 172 which extends transversely between the opposite sidewalls of the machine and is suita~ly mounted at each of its ends within the respective sid~walls.
Latch means 76 has been provided in accordance with the principles ` of the pre,sent invention for coordinating the pivotal movement of the knife 156 toward and away from the striker p~ate 152 in response to the dispensing ^ tube 78 being pivoted from its rest position along its predetermined path.~
.
As best seen in Fig. 4, the latch means 76 is supported on the upper end ofupright member 174 wh~ch is attached by fastening elements 176 to the transveræe frame member 22 and includes a flat rectangular latch plate 178 having one edge provi,ded with a tube receiving slot 180 and its opposite edge prpvided with a pair of positioning notches 182,184. Bar 185 is secured i to the end of the plate 178 having slot 180 and projects outwardly therefrom further defining the tube's receiving area provided by the slot 180. The latch plate 178 is secured to one end of a short transverse shaft 186 which extends through the upper end portion of the upright member 174 and is rotatabl~ unted thereon. The other end of shaft 186 supports crank arm 188.
Biasing lever 190 is provided withsbutting knob 192 that projects outwardly from one side thereof toward the latch plate 178 for registering with the positi,oning notches 182,~84 of the latch plate. One end of lever 190 is
3 connected by spring 194 to the upper portion of the upright member 174 whereas the other end of lever 190 is pivotally mounted on the upright member ~, 174 by pin 196, located below shaft 186. -' Also, in accordance with the principles of the present invention~
' an interconnecting rod 198 is provided for ~oordin~ting the movem~nt of the knl,fe 154 in reçponse to movement of the latch plate 178. More particularly~
, ~ - . . . . . . . . . . . ..
,, , , ' , ' .' . ' ' '`,: ~ . ' ' ' : , ,'. , " ' ' ~ ' ,' . .
104545~
1 the knife 154 is pivoted toward the striker plate 152 as the latch plate 178 iq moved from its tube receiving position to its tube holding position as respectively shown in solid line form and broken line form in Fig. ~. The rod 198 is connected at its lower end to a crank arm 200, secured to tubular member 170, and extends upwardly and forwardly therefrom between portions of the left sidewall of the machine. The upper end of the rod 198 carries nut 201 and extends through an eye bolt 202 and spring 204. Spring 204 is coiled abou~ rod 198 and confined within a state of compression between~the eye bolt 202 and ~ retaining nut 206 threaded on the~end of the rod 198. The eyelb~lt 202 is fastened to crank arm 188 for movement therewith as it is pivoted on shaft 186.
During the roll forming operation, the dispensing tube is normally in its rest position, being disposed ge~erally parallel to the t~ransverse frame member 22, with its free end or dispensing end being held in slot 180 as the latch plate 178 is in its tube holding position as shown i~ broken ~ -line form in Eig. 4. In such tube holdi~g position of the latch plate 178, the knife 156 is abutting the striker plate 152 w~th the free end of the twine being clamped therebetween.
When the roll R has been formed? the operator actuates the twine dispensing assembly 72 wherein the twine dispensing tube 78 is p~voted from its rest position along its predetermined path. As the tube 78 moves rearwardly, the latch plate 178 pivots rearwardly to its tube receiving position wherein the abutting knob 192 reg~sters with notch 184 to retain the latch 178 in such position. Further, as the latch plate 178 pivots,~the ~ -crank arm 188 pivots forcin~ the eye bolt 202 against the nut 201 which in ~ -turn forces the rod 198 downwardly whereby the crank arm 200 is pivoted rearwardly in driving the knife 156 away from the striker plate 152. As the knife 156 moves away from the striker plate 152, the free end of the twine is released therefrom and free to be carried by the dispensing tube 78 back ~ -and forth across the roll forming region 14. As the tube 78 approaches its -- 14 _ - . ,. . ~.
,~, ~, . . .
- ~
.
~04545~
rest position, on its return cycle, the twine is guided over the striker plate 152 by the guide shield 156. m en, as the tube 78 is driven into the latch plate 178, the plate 178 pivots forwardly to its rest position wherein abutting knob 192 registers with retaining notch 182. miS forward pivotal movement of the latch plate 178 pivots the crank arm 188 and the eyebolt 202 forwardly compressing the spring 204 against the retaining nut 206 which ; forces rod 198 forwardly to pivot the crank arm 200 forwardly resulting in driving the knife 156 toward the striker plate 152. m e spring 204 urges the knife 156 against the striker plate 152 to pinch the twine therebetween.
m e rotation of the roll R as shown by the arrow in Fig. 1, pulls the twine over the knife 156 resulting in severance of the twine. m e portion of the twine rearwardly of the cut being pulled into the roll forming region 14 by the rotating roll R, while the forward end of the severed twine remains clamped ~ between the knie 156 and striker plate 152 as the dispensing tube remains '.7 in its rest position.
It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in form, construction and arrangement of the improved twine wrapping mechanism without departing from ~-the spirit and the scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinDefore described being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof.
' ' ' ., , .
' an interconnecting rod 198 is provided for ~oordin~ting the movem~nt of the knl,fe 154 in reçponse to movement of the latch plate 178. More particularly~
, ~ - . . . . . . . . . . . ..
,, , , ' , ' .' . ' ' '`,: ~ . ' ' ' : , ,'. , " ' ' ~ ' ,' . .
104545~
1 the knife 154 is pivoted toward the striker plate 152 as the latch plate 178 iq moved from its tube receiving position to its tube holding position as respectively shown in solid line form and broken line form in Fig. ~. The rod 198 is connected at its lower end to a crank arm 200, secured to tubular member 170, and extends upwardly and forwardly therefrom between portions of the left sidewall of the machine. The upper end of the rod 198 carries nut 201 and extends through an eye bolt 202 and spring 204. Spring 204 is coiled abou~ rod 198 and confined within a state of compression between~the eye bolt 202 and ~ retaining nut 206 threaded on the~end of the rod 198. The eyelb~lt 202 is fastened to crank arm 188 for movement therewith as it is pivoted on shaft 186.
During the roll forming operation, the dispensing tube is normally in its rest position, being disposed ge~erally parallel to the t~ransverse frame member 22, with its free end or dispensing end being held in slot 180 as the latch plate 178 is in its tube holding position as shown i~ broken ~ -line form in Eig. 4. In such tube holdi~g position of the latch plate 178, the knife 156 is abutting the striker plate 152 w~th the free end of the twine being clamped therebetween.
When the roll R has been formed? the operator actuates the twine dispensing assembly 72 wherein the twine dispensing tube 78 is p~voted from its rest position along its predetermined path. As the tube 78 moves rearwardly, the latch plate 178 pivots rearwardly to its tube receiving position wherein the abutting knob 192 reg~sters with notch 184 to retain the latch 178 in such position. Further, as the latch plate 178 pivots,~the ~ -crank arm 188 pivots forcin~ the eye bolt 202 against the nut 201 which in ~ -turn forces the rod 198 downwardly whereby the crank arm 200 is pivoted rearwardly in driving the knife 156 away from the striker plate 152. As the knife 156 moves away from the striker plate 152, the free end of the twine is released therefrom and free to be carried by the dispensing tube 78 back ~ -and forth across the roll forming region 14. As the tube 78 approaches its -- 14 _ - . ,. . ~.
,~, ~, . . .
- ~
.
~04545~
rest position, on its return cycle, the twine is guided over the striker plate 152 by the guide shield 156. m en, as the tube 78 is driven into the latch plate 178, the plate 178 pivots forwardly to its rest position wherein abutting knob 192 registers with retaining notch 182. miS forward pivotal movement of the latch plate 178 pivots the crank arm 188 and the eyebolt 202 forwardly compressing the spring 204 against the retaining nut 206 which ; forces rod 198 forwardly to pivot the crank arm 200 forwardly resulting in driving the knife 156 toward the striker plate 152. m e spring 204 urges the knife 156 against the striker plate 152 to pinch the twine therebetween.
m e rotation of the roll R as shown by the arrow in Fig. 1, pulls the twine over the knife 156 resulting in severance of the twine. m e portion of the twine rearwardly of the cut being pulled into the roll forming region 14 by the rotating roll R, while the forward end of the severed twine remains clamped ~ between the knie 156 and striker plate 152 as the dispensing tube remains '.7 in its rest position.
It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in form, construction and arrangement of the improved twine wrapping mechanism without departing from ~-the spirit and the scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinDefore described being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof.
' ' ' ., , .
Claims (7)
1. An improved wrapping mechanism for a roll forming machine having a frame and a roll forming region for forming a roll of crop material such as hay or the like, the improved mechanism comprising:
(a) an elongated tube pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to dispense a wrapping element such as twine across the bale forming region in a predetermined path;
(b) drive means for driving said elongated dispensing tube from a rest position along its predetermined path;
(c) severing means mounted on said frame in the vicinity of said predetermined path for receiving a portion of said wrapping element, said severing means including a striker plate and a knife which is movable from a first position to a second position wherein said knife engages said striker plate;
(d) latch means mounted on said frame for movement from a tube receiving position to a tube holding position wherein said dispensing tube is positively retained in its rest position; and (e) means interconnecting said severing means and said latch means such that said knife of said severing means is moved from its first position to its second position for severing said twine as said latch means moves from its tube receiving position to its tube holding position when said dispensing tube is driven into said latch means forcing the same to be moved from its tube receiving to tube holding position.
(a) an elongated tube pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to dispense a wrapping element such as twine across the bale forming region in a predetermined path;
(b) drive means for driving said elongated dispensing tube from a rest position along its predetermined path;
(c) severing means mounted on said frame in the vicinity of said predetermined path for receiving a portion of said wrapping element, said severing means including a striker plate and a knife which is movable from a first position to a second position wherein said knife engages said striker plate;
(d) latch means mounted on said frame for movement from a tube receiving position to a tube holding position wherein said dispensing tube is positively retained in its rest position; and (e) means interconnecting said severing means and said latch means such that said knife of said severing means is moved from its first position to its second position for severing said twine as said latch means moves from its tube receiving position to its tube holding position when said dispensing tube is driven into said latch means forcing the same to be moved from its tube receiving to tube holding position.
2. The improved wrapping mechanism as described in Claim 1, wherein said latch means includes an upright support member mounted on said frame adjacent said bale forming region, a plate pivotally mounted on the upper end of said upright member and having an open slot adapted to receive said elongated dispensing tube, said plate being movable between a tube receiving position wherein the open slot of said plate is disposed within the predetermined path of said dispensing tube and a tube holding position wherein said plate is disposed in an upright position for positively retaining said dispensing tube in its rest condition;
said interconnecting means includes a rod having one of its ends pivotally connected to said knife and the other one of its ends pivotally connected to said latch means such that movement of said latch means between its tube receiving and holding positions causes a corresponding movement of said knife between its first and second positions.
said interconnecting means includes a rod having one of its ends pivotally connected to said knife and the other one of its ends pivotally connected to said latch means such that movement of said latch means between its tube receiving and holding positions causes a corresponding movement of said knife between its first and second positions.
3. The improved wrapping mechanism as described in Claim 2, wherein said latch means further includes biasing means for positively retaining said plate in its corresponding receiving and holding positions.
4. The improved wrapping mechanism as described in Claim 3, wherein said biasing means includes an arm having an abutment knob thereon and a spring, said arm being pivotally mounted at one end to said upright member below said plate, said spring being connected to the free end of said arm and to said upright member at a position above the pivotal mounting of the other end of said arm so as to urge the abutment knob of said arm into an abutting engagement with either one of a pair of notches provided in the lower edge of said plate which represent the tube receiving and tube holding positions of said latch means.
5. The improved wrapping mechanism as described in Claim 1, wherein a shaft transversely extends across said bale forming region adjacent said predetermined path to provide a guide for a portion of said tube, said knife being rotatably mounted on a portion of said shaft.
6. The improved wrapping mechanism as described in Claim 5, wherein said knife, said striker plate and said latch means are positioned along the same side of said bale forming region.
7. The improved wrapping mechanism as described in Claim 1, wherein said striker plate is mounted in a stationary position adjacent one side of said bale forming region and forwardly of said knife, said knife being pivotally mounted so as to pivot toward and away from said striker plate.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/718,712 US4062279A (en) | 1976-08-30 | 1976-08-30 | Twine wrapping mechanism for a roll forming machine |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1045451A true CA1045451A (en) | 1979-01-02 |
Family
ID=24887184
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA281,150A Expired CA1045451A (en) | 1976-08-30 | 1977-06-22 | Twine wrapping mechanism for a roll forming machine |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4062279A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU507300B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1045451A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2362576A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1584679A (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4169410A (en) * | 1978-04-07 | 1979-10-02 | Sperry Rand Corporation | Independently controlled twine knives |
| DE2947446A1 (en) * | 1978-11-28 | 1980-07-31 | Sperry Nv | MACHINE FOR SHAPING BALES FROM HARVESTED PRODUCTS |
| US4253387A (en) * | 1979-07-03 | 1981-03-03 | Hesston Corporation | Twine actuated cutter in a rotary crop baler |
| US4457226A (en) * | 1981-09-17 | 1984-07-03 | Deere & Company | Twine-wrapping mechanism for a large round baler |
| FR2517929A1 (en) * | 1981-12-10 | 1983-06-17 | Sicahn | Pick=up baler for flax - has rocker with springs acting on baling chamber belts allowing expansion |
| US4530279A (en) * | 1984-09-25 | 1985-07-23 | Sperry Corporation | Breakaway mechanism for a twine wrapping apparatus |
| US5215006A (en) * | 1992-03-09 | 1993-06-01 | Ford New Holland, Inc. | Twine clamp for round baler twine wrapping apparatus |
| US5450787A (en) * | 1995-01-12 | 1995-09-19 | New Holland North America, Inc. | Twine clamp for round baler twine wrapping apparatus |
| US5709143A (en) * | 1995-11-21 | 1998-01-20 | Hay & Forage Industries | Round baler twine cutter |
| EP2106688B1 (en) * | 2008-04-02 | 2011-03-30 | Deere & Company | Bale Wrapper |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2627223A (en) * | 1949-08-08 | 1953-02-03 | Howard J Berge | Baling machine for compacting straw and stalks from harvesting machines into cylindrical bales |
| US2850964A (en) * | 1955-09-12 | 1958-09-09 | Allis Chalmers Mfg Co | Rotary baler |
| US3064556A (en) * | 1957-11-06 | 1962-11-20 | Inc Promoting Enduring Peace | Rotary baler improvement |
| US3910178A (en) * | 1973-10-12 | 1975-10-07 | Sperry Rand Corp | Apparatus for wrapping a round bale formed in a round bale forming machine |
| US3913473A (en) * | 1974-07-17 | 1975-10-21 | Deere & Co | Bale wrapping mechanism for large cylindrical bales |
| DE2525491A1 (en) * | 1975-06-07 | 1976-12-16 | Welger Geb | Agricultural baling-press and binder - has tubular twine guide and twine cutter blade, with clamp holding twin end for next bale |
| US4024804A (en) * | 1975-11-17 | 1977-05-24 | Gehl Company | Rotary baling machine with twine feeding mechanism and articulated drive assembly |
-
1976
- 1976-08-30 US US05/718,712 patent/US4062279A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1977
- 1977-06-22 CA CA281,150A patent/CA1045451A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-08-11 FR FR7724724A patent/FR2362576A1/en active Granted
- 1977-08-22 AU AU28101/77A patent/AU507300B2/en not_active Expired
- 1977-08-24 GB GB35526/77A patent/GB1584679A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2362576B1 (en) | 1983-08-05 |
| AU2810177A (en) | 1979-03-01 |
| GB1584679A (en) | 1981-02-18 |
| US4062279A (en) | 1977-12-13 |
| FR2362576A1 (en) | 1978-03-24 |
| AU507300B2 (en) | 1980-02-07 |
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